Knicks prez Isiah Thomas said he finally placed a formal call yesterday to Pacers honcho Donnie Walsh to express his interest in Ron Artest, but admitted he’s not going all out to get him.

Thomas vowed last night he will not part with the young pieces he’s assembled in the draft the past two years. That position will greatly thwart Thomas’ efforts to gain Artest – most of the Knicks’ veterans, even the younger ones, are overpaid and underachieving.

The only shot Thomas has is if the Pacers, notoriously thrifty, choose to clear cap space this summer by unloading Artest and another big contract, such as Austin Croshere, for expiring Knicks contracts.

The Knicks have $28 million worth of expiring contracts in Antonio Davis and Penny Hardaway. A source familiar with the situation said any deal with the Pacers will require multiple players. The Knicks don’t like their chances.

Thomas made it clear he’s not offering Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, David Lee or Trevor Ariza.

“I wouldn’t part with any of them,” Thomas said. “I like where we’re headed. We haven’t had these kind of young players in a long time. Now that we got ’em, might as well keep them.

“The ball’s in the Indiana Pacers’ court. I’m sure at the end of the day, they’ll make the best decision for their franchise.”

Walsh said he’s received calls from close to 20 teams. Thomas was one of the last inquiries, as he wanted to hear the other offers, since he’s close with the Pacers president.

“He’s a great player, but yes, there is a concern,” Thomas said about Artest’s well-chronicled temper.

Artest, 26, said he wants to be traded to the Knicks and would sign with the team as a free agent in 2008. The Knicks may have to wait.

“Very flattered,” Thomas said. “That a great player such as himself would look at our rebuilding situation and publicly comment on how much he’d like to be a part of it. We’re flattered about that. It lets us know we’re headed in the right direction.”